For my birthday celebration this year I invited my friends to an Indian Buffet and then to experience the historic home tour in Mesa.
I live in Mesa, Arizona, a city very close to the capital of Phoenix. It is a large city and was according to Wikipedia its history dates back 2000 years to the arrival of the Hohokam people and in 1878 it was made a city.
Each year the city asks residents in the historic neighborhoods if they would like to be a part of the tour. The houses on this tour were built in the late 1800s, the early 1900s and the 1940s and 1950s were in the Evergreen district of the city. There were a lot of beautiful trees in this part of town.
The weather was amazing (in the 60s) as me and my friends walked through this old part of Mesa together.
House 1
Let's start with the oldest home. This house was built in the late 1800s. It has high ceilings and a great wrap around porch.
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House 2
Each year they pick a different historic area and yet each year they have two houses close to the city center that are always on the tour. I am so glad, they are some of my very favorites! I mean look at this tin ceiling!
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And the gorgeous Kitchen. For those that know me well, you know how much I love glass. This house had wonderful glass.
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I got a lot of bathroom pictures. I will have to do a post in @livinguktaiwan's Loo community.
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House 3
This house was stunning, so minimalist and clean.
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It also had a carriage house that was converted into a bar area.
And a pool area
House 4
The person that decorated this house really likes black, white and purple. And while I didn't get a picture there was a chandelier in the bathroom.
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House 5
I liked the mid century vibe in this house, especially the couch.
House 6
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House 7
This house was the one that felt the most like stepping back in time. Look at that great original colored tile!
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There is also a big Arizona room. These are rooms that are built on the house and screened in so that there is flow and people can sleep in them in the summer months, before air conditioning.
I had to get a picture of the beautiful orange tree. It is citrus season right now so I have been picking and juicing a lot of oranges from my friend's trees. Fresh squeezed orange juice is sooo good.
House 8
This was a beautiful house and the outside living space was incredible. I want to go back and sit and eat there.
One thing that I found fascinating is that some of these houses are very ordinary outside and you step inside and see the personality and beautiful inside. Just like people.
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Here is a picture of all of us at lunch before the tour. It was an incredible day!
Source: Mesa Arizona Source: Arizona Room